Bells are jingling, lights are twinkling, it's party time!

Withthe end of the year just a few weeks away, it's time to prepare for this year's class holiday or winter party. These 3 tips will help make it a jolly success!

1. Plan & Get Help!

From snacks to crafts to holiday reading material and activity stations, it is easy to get bogged down in the planning. Capture all your needs in one easy online sign up sheet, i.e., list: healthy snack option, sweet treat snack option, drinks, tableware and simple decorations, volunteer reader with winter-themed book, volunteers for the activity station, party activity supplies, etc. Once you have it planned, SignUp.com simplifies your holiday occasion! Plus, SignUp.com reminds your volunteers and even allows room for you to add in the folks who aren't using email!

Tip: Check with the teacher about the school's holiday policy. Will you be planning for nondenominational 'winter' and snow themes, or are Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa themes welcome and expected?

“One of the best things my dd's school did was to get a tree donated from a store. They made decorations and gave it away to a needy family from the school. The kids put their heart into their creations. That tree was filled with lots of love.”

“For our parties, we have three activities -- a snack, a craft, and a game. The class is split into three groups, and each group does one activity at a time. It's an excellent way to cut down on the chaos! But it's also all-encompassing for our diverse school. For example, the game can have a Hanukah theme (Dreidel is always popular) the snack can have a Christmas theme and the craft can have an Eid theme.”

“Host a build-your-own hot chocolate station with cocoa mix, marshmallows, cinnamon, chocolate syrup, white chocolate chips, whipped cream in a can, and shaved peppermint to choose from and pin the button nose or carrot on the snowman.”

8 Fun Ways to Give Back with Family & Friends this Fall

Colder weather means even warmer hearts! Have FUN this Fall with these creative ways to give back and practice random kindness:

1. Ding Dong Surprise. Ding dong ditch some delicious, festive treats for your favorite teacher or school staff member by wrapping and leaving them - in secret, or at the doorway after you quickly knock and run.

2. Treat or . . . Treat? Wouldn't a new neighbor or old friend be wickedly surprised when you family comes to trick or treat and instead leaves a delicious treat or gift for them on Halloween? Get your kids involved and they'll be as thrilled for this surprise as that king size candybar.

3. Game Day. NFL Sunday & World Series viewing boasts good food, good friends and good . . . giving! Turn attendance to your game day party into a way to collect non-perishable food and goods to donate to your local food bank.

4. Warm & Cozy. You're kids new winter coats might look totally fab, but are their old ones still any good? Collect gently used cold-weather apparel with your kids in your own home and donate to a local charity story or family shelter.

5. Pumpkin Party. You're planning on a family night carving session anyways, so why not find a pumpkin to purchase to support a good cause. Google local Pumpkin Patch fundraisers in your area and reserve one today.

6. Halloween Candy Buy Back: Find a participating dentist in your area and let your kids cash in or swap out their Halloween candy for other goodies; the candy is donated for care packages to our troops overseas. More info here

7. Extra Dinner. Are the kids already helping you whip up a batch of your favorite squash and pumpkin seed soup? Make bonus servings and deliver to an elderly neighbor or local family in need.

8. Fired Up. Show your civil servants some appreciation this Fall. Get a group of families together to deliver warm cider and baked goods to your nearby fire or police station.

A Few of Our Favorite Things: Pumpkins, Candy and Class Parties!

Your classroom Halloween or Fall party is just around the corner - are you ready? Start planning now in order to have a stress-free, festive Halloween party the whole class (and your teacher) enjoys!

Tips for a successful Halloween class party:

Celebration Check: Ask the teacher for the school policy on what holidays can be celebrated – make sure Halloween is one of them, and if not, try a Fall leaves or Harvest theme.

Craft Projects: Plan a craft that can be easily completed in 10-15 minutes and fits with the suggested theme. Ensure the craft parent volunteer has EVERYTHING needed and brings full craft kits (glue, scissors, etc.), also a trash bag for clean up. Don’t assume the teacher will provide all items. Check out fun Fall crafts HERE

Party Favors: Hand out colorful, festive pencils, candy, Halloween stickers, erasers or other school supplies as party favors or as prizes for games.

Snacks: Keep it simple and portable, and plan extras for the teacher, staff and parent helpers. Are there allergies or school guidelines to consider? Pumpkin treats are always a hit – check out this blog post for 5 easy pumpkin snacks kids love!

Decorations: A colorful tablecloth, balloons, and hand-cut paper pumpkins are inexpensive and go a long way to making a room look festive. Add some spooky (but fun) Halloween music to complete the mood.

Memories: Pick a volunteer to take photos or videos of the party and share with the parents who could not come. Upload to a shared online album, private facebook page or class blog.

Relax and have fun! Your kids love having you help in their class. Halloween can be fun for everyone – including YOU!

Bonus: Get more class parents involved in the festive fun with free online sign up sheets! For class party signup templates, click here.

Here's to a fantastically planned class Halloween party and a safe and fun Halloween!

School Halloween Party Sign Up Sheet (Organizer Screen) - Day: Organizers can quickly schedule times volunteers are needed to help with activities as well as items they require for the party which volunteers can bring.

* * *

Halloween Party Online Sign Up Sheet - Volunteer View (Day): Volunteers access the sign up sheet via invitation or activity link, click the Sign Up button for the shift/task they can help with, and Confirm their spots!

Helpful Tips & Hints to Remember for this year's School Halloween Party

Classroom Halloween Party Hints & Tricks | Stay Organized & Have Fun

October is here and you know what that means, holiday class party season is in full swing! Whether it's the costumes, the festive games, (the candy!), or the spookiness of it all, Halloween is definitely a favorite holiday for kids. Here are some creative and thoughtful ideas for room moms, teachers and parents for making this year's Halloween party truly memorable while still saving time and energy organizing it!

3 Steps to Halloween Party Fun

1. Plan it

Organize the class party into 'stations' with small groups of kids rotating through activities to keep the pace moving for the kids and the group-size manageable for parent volunteers. Everyone comes together for the final station, story time.

Tip: Ask the teacher if any kids have food allergies and if the school has policies limiting sugary treats.

2. Get Help!

Ask class parents (and grandparents) to pitch in and volunteer either during the party or by contributing supplies and food. Remember to plan for craft and game supplies, snacks, paper ware, and simple decorations (think plastic table cloths and mini pumpkins).

Tip: Free online signup sheets from SignUp.com make it easy to coordinate parent helpers. With the click of a mouse or a tap on a smartphone, parents can quickly choose when to help and what to bring. Automated reminders keep everyone on track.

3. Have Fun!

Be ready for joyful chaos! When things don't go exactly as planned, don't stress. Instead, put on a big smile and know that the kids will have a great time no matter what. Be sure to take lots of pictures, party day is a very special day at school!

Tip: Bring a child's wagon to help carry supplies from your car to the classroom

Homeschooling Tips

The decision to home school your child is both admirable and challenging, as you take on both roles of parent and educator. From selecting the curricula to developing lesson plans to educational activities to shaping a social setting for your children, parents who take on home schooling have full plates. Before you dive in to teacher mode, here are a few suggestions to aid your approach and become your kid’s hero.

1. Research before anything

Know your options. With more and more parents deciding to home school their children, there are more resources available. Research the different programs, look into different online courses and testimonials before you get started.

2. Hit the books

Before you can become the educator, you have to do your own studying and prepare yourself to step in a teacher’s shoes. Find the best reads to train you how to think, plan and differentiate parent mode from teacher mode. Check out online and physical books to gain better insight to plan your schedule accordingly.

Do not be afraid to search for counsel and advice from other parents who have been in your shoes. Find your own support group with people you can relate to and reassure you that you’re not alone. There are plenty of blogs on the national and local levels to turn to. Meet other parents who home school their children for coffee and get new ideas from experts.

Take advantage of other resources, such as Pinterest to borrow a little inspiration, especially for breaks and after-school activities. Also, find useful printables and teaching techniques to apply to your own school days at home. All the help you need is out there; don’t be too proud to accept it.

5. There’s an app for that

It’s safe to say kids attending school today experience learning in a completely different way than their parents. We live in a digital-mania environment and that shows in a modern classroom. Show your young student isn’t missing out by incorporating the latest electronic innovations to your lesson plans as well.

The main concern parents have when considering home school is the limitation they put on their children’s social life. Look into local sports clubs in your community and encourage your child to take up a new sport each season. Introduce your daughter to dance classes and watch her become a ballerina. Also, encourage them to pick up a musical instrument and gain that community learning as well.

7. Ask for help

Don’t be discouraged if you realize you cannot complete all of your tasks in a day. Filling the positions of mom and teacher is sure to take a toll on you, so do not feel like you failed if something slips up. Also, give yourself a break once in a while. Don’t eliminate the things you enjoy from your life, but instill balance in your routine.

8. Be patient not perfect

No one expects you to have the routine down instantly. Remember not to put too much pressure on yourself and learn as you go. You are not expected to have all the answers. Find what works and what doesn’t and use those discoveries to improve.

With the new school year upon us (or nearly so), this list of back to school books is a great way to jump-start your child's reading.

Your child should have no trouble finding something they will love in this fun list of books.

Kindergarten & First Grade

First Day Jitters (Mrs. Hartwells classroom adventures) written by Julie Danneberg, illustrated by Judy Love

Everyone knows that sinking feeling in the pit of the stomach just before diving into a new situation. Sarah Jane Hartwell is scared and doesn't want to start over at a new school. She doesn't know anybody, and nobody knows her. It will be awful. She just knows it. With much prodding from Mr. Hartwell, Sarah Jane reluctantly pulls herself together and goes to school. She is quickly befriended by Mrs. Burton, who helps smooth her jittery transition. This charming and familiar story will delight readers with its surprise ending.

Fun, energetic illustrations brighten page after page with the busy antics surrounding Sarah Jane. FIRST DAY JITTERS is an enchanting story that is sure to be treasured by anyone who has ever anticipated a first day of school.

The Kissing Hand written by Audrey Penn, illustrated by Nancy M. Leak

School is starting in the forest, but Chester Raccoon does not want to go. To help ease Chester's fears, Mrs. Raccoon shares a family secret called the Kissing Hand to give him the reassurance of her love any time his world feels a little scary. Since its first publication in 1993, this heartwarming book has become a children's classic that has touched the lives of millions of children and their parents, especially at times of separation, whether starting school, entering daycare, or going to camp. It is widely used by kindergarten teachers on the first day of school. Stickers at the back will help children and their parents keep their Kissing Hand alive.

All Are Welcome written by Alexandra Penfold, illustrated by Suzanne Kaufman

A warm, welcoming picture book that celebrates diversity and gives encouragement and support to all kids.

Follow a group of children through a day in their school, where everyone is welcomed with open arms. A school where kids in patkas, hijabs, and yarmulkes play side-by-side with friends in baseball caps. A school where students grow and learn from each other's traditions and the whole community gathers to celebrate the Lunar New Year.

All Are Welcome lets young children know that no matter what, they have a place, they have a space, they are welcome in their school.

It's Time for School, Stinky Face written by Lisa McCourt, illustrated by Cyd Moore

The ever imaginative Stinky Face is not at all sure about starting school for the first time, so he has a whole bunch of questions for his mama! What if the school bus gets a flat tire? What if a spaceship lands next to the jungle gym at recess? And what if all the desks start flying around the classroom?

But with some reassuring answers from his always quick-thinking mama, Stinky Face soon realizes that going to school might be more fun than he ever thought possible.

Second & Third Grade

In the very first book in the laugh-out-loud My Weirdest School series, A.J.'s third-grade teacher, Mr. Granite, is retiring after a million hundred years. It turns out the new teacher, Mr. Cooper, is even weirder than Mr. Granite! One day he's Rat Man and he teaches about rodents. The next day he's Lava Man and he teaches about volcanoes. But what happens when a real superhero is needed? Will Mr. Cooper protect the school from evil, or just embarrass it to death?

Perfect for reluctant readers and word lovers alike, Dan Gutman's hugely popular My Weird School series has something for everyone. Don't miss the hilarious adventures of A.J. and the gang!

Second Grade Holdout by Audrey Vernick, illustrated by Matthew Cordell

Second grade? Pfff! No, thanks.

The comically anxious narrator in this book thought that first grade had its problems, but overall it was pretty awesome. He'll take grade one over grade two any day, thank you very much! Especially because he and Tyler, his best friend, will not be in the same class this school year. On top of that, Tyler's sisters have been feeding the boys a steady stream of rumors about the horrors of second grade. Luckily they catch on that just maybe some of those stories are not one hundred percent true.

Could it be that second grade is not so bad? Find out in this laugh-out-loud story that has more than its fair share of heart.

Summer is almost over, and you know what that means—time to head back to school! But when a tropical storm ends A.J.'s vacation earlier than expected, he and his family have to stay at Andrea's house. Ugh, disgusting!

Soon after, everyone in the house starts getting cabin fever, and even back-to-school shopping won't calm the kids down. So, Andrea and A.J. are sent to Camp Ockatollyquay. The catch? It's a camp to get kids ready for school! But not to worry—Andrea and A.J. rally their Ella Mentry School friends to end their summer on a note they'll never forget.

Join A.J. and the gang from My Weird School in this special series of after-school, holiday-themed chapter books featuring hilarious stories and thirty-two pages of games, puzzles, and more. This is one weird back-to-school special you won't want to miss!

The Exceptionally, Extraordinarily Ordinary First Day of School by Albert Lorenz

On the first day back to school from summer vacation, John is the new kid. When the librarian asks him if the school is any different from his last one, he begins a wildly imaginative story about what it was like. What follows are hilarious scenarios—his old school bus was a safari jeep pulled by wild creatures, the school was a castle, and the lunch menu included worms! His imagination wins him the attention and awe of his librarian and peers, setting the tone for a compelling story about conquering the fears of being a new kid, as well as the first-day jitters that many children experience.

Fourth & Fifth Grade

The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig, illustrated by Patrice Barton

A simple act of kindness can transform an invisible boy into a friend...

Meet Brian, the invisible boy. Nobody ever seems to notice him or think to include him in their group, game, or birthday party . . . until, that is, a new kid comes to class.

When Justin, the new boy, arrives, Brian is the first to make him feel welcome. And when Brian and Justin team up to work on a class project together, Brian finds a way to shine.

From esteemed author and speaker Trudy Ludwig and acclaimed illustrator Patrice Barton, this gentle story shows how small acts of kindness can help children feel included and allow them to flourish. Any parent, teacher, or counselor looking for material that sensitively addresses the needs of quieter children will find The Invisible Boy a valuable and important resource.

Frindle by Andrew Clements, illustrated by Brian Selznick

Is Nick Allen a troublemaker?

He really just likes to liven things up at school -- and he's always had plenty of great ideas. When Nick learns some interesting information about how words are created, suddenly he's got the inspiration for his best plan ever...the frindle. Who says a pen has to be called a pen? Why not call it a frindle? Things begin innocently enough as Nick gets his friends to use the new word. Then other people in town start saying frindle. Soon the school is in an uproar, and Nick has become a local hero. His teacher wants Nick to put an end to all this nonsense, but the funny thing is frindle doesn't belong to Nick anymore. The new word is spreading across the country, and there's nothing Nick can do to stop i

Jake the Fake Keeps it Real by Craig Robinson, illustrated by Keith Knight

For fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Big Nate comes the first book in a side-splitting illustrated series from comedian and film star Craig Robinson, #1 New York Times bestselling author Adam Mansbach, and NAACP History Maker recipient and cartoonist Keith Knight.

Jake can barely play an instrument, not even a kazoo. And his art? It’s better suited for Pictionary than Picasso. Which is a real problem because Jake just faked his way into the Music and Art Academy for the gifted and talented (and Jake is pretty sure he is neither). More jokester than composer, Jake will have to think of something quick before the last laugh is on him.

Dork Diaries 1: Tales from a Not-So-Fabulous Life by Rachel Renée Russell

Meet Nikki Maxwell! She’s starting eighth grade at a new school—and her very first diary packed with hilarious stories and art in this SUPER SQUEE updated edition of Book One of the #1 New York Times bestselling Dork Diaries series!

Nikki confesses all in her first diary ever: her epic battle with her mom for an iPhone, meeting her new soon-to-be BFFs Chloe and Zoey, falling for adorably sweet crush Brandon, dealing with her zany little sister Brianna’s antics—and the immediate clashes with mean girl Mackenzie, who becomes Nikki’s rival in a schoolwide art competition.

Getting your kids out the door in the morning can be difficult enough without a lunchbox battle. But it can be impossible when you have to navigate through allergies, school regulations/restrictions, and picky eaters.

Here are some yummy, easy, kid-approved peanut free lunch ideas to help make mornings a little easier.

It's a hard truth, but the back-to-school countdown has begun for many schools already. If you are planning on becoming a room parent this year (or are even thinking about it), rest easy - the online world is full of great resources to make your job easier, more streamlined and even fun.

Check out our top 5 room parent resources:

1. Essential Room Mom Teacher Checklist: As a critical liaison between teacher, parents and students, the designated Room Parent has lots to cover with the teacher. From a calendar of parent volunteer needs to how the teacher prefers to communicate, student food allergies and school policy, this go-to list is a valuable asset to any room parent.

3. Free online parent scheduler: Gone are the days of paper signup sheets and annoying reply-all emails! Free online sign up sheets and parent scheduling tools from SignUp.com are your key to getting more parents involved by making it more convenient for them to volunteer. Set up classroom calendars (field trips, class parties, enrichment lessons, reading time, lunch and recess duties, you name it) online, invite parents to sign up from their computer, smartphone or tablet and rely on automated reminders to help everyone keep their commitments!

4. RoomMomSpot.com: Get organized and inspired with the dedicated RoomMom blog, RoomMomSpot.com. With everything from sample room parent letters and online signup templates, to class party ideas, top tech tools and apps for room parents, and more - RoomMomSpot is your go-to online destination for everything 'room parent'.

5. Pinterest: Pinterest is taking the room parent community by storm! Visual pin boards allow for creative collaboration and sharing of ideas when it comes to enhancing the classroom and school environment. Find recipes for the class party, field trip ideas, bulletin and door decorations, even parent volunteer appreciation inspiration all on Pinterest. Follow SignUp.com's Room Mom Ideas board HERE.